Although firmly identified with
Benny Goodman and the swing era, vibraphonist
Lionel Hampton led one of the most bop-oriented and forward-looking big bands of the mid-to-late '40s; for proof of that check out "Mingus Fingers" (by
Charles Mingus) on this CD. This set reissues some of
Hampton's most boppish sides from 1946-47 along with the original version of "Midnight Sun" and is full of extroverted solos and exciting ensembles. Although tenorman
Arnett Cobb (heard in the earlier selections) and pianist
Milt Buckner are the best-known sidemen, such musicians as the screaming trumpeters
Jimmy Nottingham and Leo "the Whistler" Sheppard and tenors
Morris Lane,
John Sparrow and the young
Johnny Griffin provide their own strong moments. Until Decca gets around to reissuing all of
Hamp's big band sides in chronological order, this is one of the sets to get. ~ Scott Yanow